Detection of CYP2C19*2_ allele among Helicobacter pylori -infected patients in two tertiary hospitals of Khartoum, Sudan, 2019

Background: CYP2C19*2 has been identified as the most common allelic variant of CYP2C19 affecting the response to Proton pump inhibitors (PPI). This study aims to detect CYP2C19*2 allele in H. pylori-infected Sudanese population, owing its probable effect on H. pylori eradication. Methods: Antral biopsies was collected from 30 patients attending endoscopy units. Extraction of DNA was performed through QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit. Samples were screened for Urease C (UreC) gene of H. pylori using conventional PCR. Detection of CYP2C19*2 was performed in positive H. pylori samples using Real time-PCR. Results: The mean age of patients was 40.7 (±20.2 SE). Positive samples for UreC were 24 (80%) samples. Among them, four samples (16.6%) were found positive for CYP2C19*2 allele presence. Gender was found to be statistically associated with the presence of the allele (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study illustrates that CYP2C19*2 is of modest prevalence among H. pylori-infected Sudanese population. The determination of genotypic and allelic frequencies of CYP2C19 gene among different populations will provide data to be used to personalize treatment according to individual genetic profile, and minimize the possible adverse side effects of CYP2C19 substrates.

Primary Soil Contaminants and Their Risks, and Their Relationship to Myocardial Infarction Susceptibility in Urban Krakow (Poland)

We recorded the concentrations, distributions and sources of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), along with zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), in soils from different areas of Krakow––the city-centre, industrial and residential zones––and from outside the city. Their relationships to the soil properties were examined, and associations were established between the soil pollution in the different areas and myocardial infarction (MI) incidences in 5054 hospitalised patients who had lived in Krakow for more than 30 years. The PAH and Cd concentrations exceeded threshold-effect levels in the city-centre and industrial zones, while Zn, Pb and phenanthrene exceeded probable-effect levels. Industrial incineration processes, coal combustion and petrol-powered vehicles are the main sources of the PAHs, Zn and Cd, while the Pb originates mainly from historical accumulation and the use of Pb-enriched petrol. The mean number of MI incidences in Krakow equated to 0.72% of the residents, while in the city-centre and industrial zones it was ~ 2.8 and 1.2%, respectively. In the residential zone, the mean number of MI incidences was < 0.5% of the residents. These results may suggest that differences in MI incidence in Krakow residents is, at least in part, linked to chronic PAH and heavy-metal exposure.

Climate Change and the Rising Geopolitics of LNG

In the 21st century, the nexus between climate change and the global gas industry is more resilient. Gas is now preferred to gasoline in mitigating the effects of climate change and key global gas players and new entrants’ race for a higher global market share. To sustain continuous profit on gas investments, sustainable and strategic energy business models are being developed albeit with unintended or intended geopolitical consequences. This paper highlights the probable geopolitical risks, their likely impacts, and regional risk mitigation strategies necessary for sustaining the growth of the global gas market for the next ten years. Using a risk matrix table and data from British Petroleum (BP) full report and outlook, the probable effect of regional gas policies are compared to their impact on current and future global gas market dynamics. Results show that within the next 10 years, Asia, America, and the Middle East will likely pose the greatest risks to market dynamics. Proactive mitigation ideas will, therefore, include removing or reducing thesethreats to Africa's growing gas market.

Eye care professionals’ patient care and personal protective equipment adapts during the second wave of SARS-CoV-2: Survey in Israel

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began spreading in December 2019 and rapidly evolved to a global pandemic. Initially information was nonexistent and eye care professionals (ECPs) were anxious as the close proximity involved in patient care put them at high risk. Recognizing this stress and the probable effect on behavior initiated this survey. The survey presented here was conducted in three stages. The expectation was a change in behavior during the second wave when modes of transmission and methods of protection clarified. Yet nearly a third of ECPs still refrained from examining patients. This continuing trend can have severe health and economic ramifications.

Distribution and Potential Availability of As, Metals and P in Sediments from a Riverine Reservoir in a Rural Mountainous Catchment (NE Portugal)

A geochemical investigation was carried out on the bottom sediments of a riverine reservoir, located in a mountainous rural region (NE Portugal), with the aim of evaluating the contents of As, metals and P and their potential availability. The elements contents were detected in the following ranges (µg g−1): As (18–64); Cr (32–128); Cu (39–93); Ni (18–80); Pb (49–160); Zn (207–334); P (1705–2681). The reducible fraction is the most significant in the retention of the elements. Based on their potential relative mobility, the detected metals could be classed as follows: Zn > As, Pb > Cu > Cr, Ni. The results on geochemical partitioning were revealed to be important when the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) were considered. Arsenic, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn showed total contents exceeding the values of Probable Effect Level (PEL), but only As occurred in the most potentially available form; Cr and Ni can be considered relatively unavailable, since these are mainly associated with the residual phase. Locally, oxygen depletion could release P into the water column due to the higher concentrations in Fe-P and CDB-P fractions. The potential availability of As, metals and P in sediments indicates that the quality of sediments accumulated in small reservoirs should be considered in management policies.

Geovisualization of Mercury Contamination in Lake St. Clair Sediments

The Laurentian Great Lakes of North America contain approximately 20% of the earth’s fresh water. Smaller lakes, rivers and channels connect the lakes to the St. Lawrence Seaway, creating an interconnected freshwater and marine ecosystem. The largest delta system in the Great Lakes is located in the northeastern portion of Lake St. Clair. This article focuses on the geovisualization of total mercury pollution from sediment samples that were collected in 1970, 1974 and 2001. To assess contamination patterns, dot maps were created and compared with surfaces that were generated using the kriging spatial interpolation technique. Bathymetry data were utilized in geovisualization procedures to develop three-dimensional representations of the contaminant surfaces. Lake St. Clair generally has higher levels of contamination in deeper parts of the lake, in the dredged shipping route through the lake and in proximity to the main outflow channels through the St. Clair delta. Mercury pollution levels were well above the Probable Effect Level in large portions of the lake in both 1970 and 1974. Lower contaminant concentrations were observed in the 2001 data. Lake-wide spatial distributions are discernable using the kriging technique; however, they are much more apparent when they are geovisualized using bathymetry data.

Geovisualization of Mercury Contamination in Lake St. Clair Sediments

The Laurentian Great Lakes of North America contain approximately 20% of the earth’s fresh water. Smaller lakes, rivers and channels connect the lakes to the St. Lawrence Seaway, creating an interconnected freshwater and marine ecosystem. The largest delta system in the Great Lakes is located in the northeastern portion of Lake St. Clair. This article focuses on the geovisualization of total mercury pollution from sediment samples that were collected in 1970, 1974 and 2001. To assess contamination patterns, dot maps were created and compared with surfaces that were generated using the kriging spatial interpolation technique. Bathymetry data were utilized in geovisualization procedures to develop three-dimensional representations of the contaminant surfaces. Lake St. Clair generally has higher levels of contamination in deeper parts of the lake, in the dredged shipping route through the lake and in proximity to the main outflow channels through the St. Clair delta. Mercury pollution levels were well above the Probable Effect Level in large portions of the lake in both 1970 and 1974. Lower contaminant concentrations were observed in the 2001 data. Lake-wide spatial distributions are discernable using the kriging technique; however, they are much more apparent when they are geovisualized using bathymetry data.

Conversion Reaction after a Traumatic Brain Injury

KLS, also called recurrent hypersomnia, is a sleep disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia associated with cognitive and behavioral disturbances such as confusion, derealisation, apathy, compulsive eating, and hypersexuality. In this article, we aim to present a case with a history of traumatic brain injury who had been suffering from memory disturbance and came in an unresponsive state. He met several therapists and hospitalized several times. Through reviewing his history, we point out some diagnosis and discuss the probable effect of stressful life events on such patients with impaired memory system. The patient has received these medications during hospitalization in neurology ward pantoprazole 40mg po Qd, amantadine 100mg po BID, modafinil 100mg po TID in addition to diazepam and heparin in bedside. In this case, combination therapy and using hypnosis with family support and cooperation in several medical visits seems to be effective for early treatment.

A probable effect of the development of internet technology on insurance & banking sectors, decision processes and service structures

The history of the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) covers the last twenty years. Despite the short of time, the concept and implementation of the Internet of Things have widely spread all over the world. The impetus of the dissemination of the concept has exponential speed. In the near future, billions of smart sensors and devices will interact with one another without human intervention. The early impact of the Internet of Things has been observed and discussed in the areas of technology, transportation, production, and marketing. The prospective effect of the Internet of Things on the finance sector has been discussed recently. In this study, the development of the concept of the Internet of Things and it is effect on the finance sector and specifically the insurance and banking sectors and future expectations have been evaluated.

Geochemistry, risk assessment, and Pb isotopic evidence for sources of heavy metals in stream sediments around the Ulukışla Basin, Niğde, southern Turkey

Concentrations of selected elements (Al, Fe, Mn, Mo, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Sb, and Zn) and Pb isotope ratios were determined in 53 sediments from Alihoca, Gümüş, Horoz, and Çakıt streams around the south-central Taurides (Ulukışla Basin), Niğde, which is a known mining province in Turkey. Several pollution and risk assessment indices were used to assess possible heavy metal pollution in the stream sediments and the associated potential ecological risks. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Sb, and Zn were elevated in the streams located near ancient mines, active mines, and slag piles in the area, suggesting an influence from mining activities. The pollution assessment indices indicated that the sediments were significantly polluted by As, Cd, Sb, Zn, and Pb and moderately polluted by Cu, Ni, Cr, and Co. The sediments show very high potential ecological risk with As, Cd, Sb, and Pb as the principal contributors. Ni, Cr, As, Pb, Zn, and Cd exceeded the probable effect concentrations in most of the samples implying that their concentrations may frequently affect sediment-dwelling organisms. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that the accumulation of heavy metals in the stream sediments is due to an interplay of anthropogenic activities (mining and agrochemical application) and geogenic processes (weathering of bedrocks and supergene alteration of base metal-rich mineralization). Pb isotopic tracing indicates that total Pb in the sediments (206Pb/207Pb = 1.09–1.29) is primarily from weathering and dissolution of ultrapotassic rocks (206Pb/207Pb up to 1.20) and galena (206Pb/207Pb up to 1.21) from the Pb-Zn-Au deposits in the area with some anthropogenic input from mine slag piles (206Pb/207Pb = 1.10).